The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Thank you, Rose and Kathleen, and truly my HP deserves the credit. I really would have loved to continue to complain. Doesn't get me anywhere, but it's familiar. I just all of a sudden felt silly sitting in that chair complaining aloud while both patiently did what they needed to do. Then, the dawning of awareness, acceptance, action. Don't you just love the beauty of this program and of our HP - no matter how we understand or define it? I've been brought to my heart and health many times being the slow learner that I've been. I'm grateful that Loving Presence continues to do what it needs to do in my life with patience and gentle care. (((R)))
-- Edited by grateful2be on Friday 11th of October 2013 02:46:29 PM
Thanks, Cathy. This poor new dentist would probably love to wring the other two dentists' necks by now. He's had to deal with a lot in relationship to my problems that weren't caused by him either. I hope he didn't go home and snarl at his dog. Grin. The problem is more in the jaw bone and underneath the gum line. My teeth are good - what's left of them now - after poor dental care and dental surgery. Fortunately, I can still live a happy life and I don't have to give up my favorite foods -gruel and tomato soup. (Kidding - they aren't my favorite foods.)
-- Edited by grateful2be on Friday 11th of October 2013 06:39:59 PM
Yesterday, I was in a dentist's chair for about 2.5 hours undergoing a very difficult and to some degree very painful procedure. The problem was due to going to a dentist who told me my teeth and gums were in great shape and that I'd have my teeth the rest of my life. Three months after my last scheduled visit to him and his retirement, I ended up with an abscessed tooth that was removed. The surgeon removed it and broke another molar. He didn't tell me about it. I discovered it when the numbing agent and sedative wore off at home. I had to go back to my new dentist who could artificially repair the damaged molar that had no problem. While there, I learned the rest of the story about my mouth and the problems that the new dentist and hygenist had found that could be backed up on x-ray for me. Close to $2,000 later, I still have major issues due to the previous dentist and a possible other problem with the molar broken off in part to the gumline by the surgeon. I don't have dental coverage.
As I sat during a break from the procedure, I was complaining to the dentist and hygenist that I was sitting in that chair due to the mistakes and miscalculations of a dentist and a surgeon. I was upset because I was going through a painful and costly procedure that wasn't due to me. I had done what I could to take good care of my teeth and had regular visits every six months.
Then, I realized that mentally I was stuck in the past. What benefit was it to me to go on and on about the injustice of it all? Truth is, I've probably hurt people, too, in my lifetime unwillingly and they are paying the price for what I did to them? I brought myself mentally into the present, lived through the procedure, rescheduled the next unpleasant experience, and gave thanks that I could afford the expense and handle the discomfort for that day. I decided to take an inventory of what was in my day. I got happy again.
, I. Now, if I can just repeat this the next time I go to the dentist and in every other area of my life, too. Progress, not perfect is the name of our game.
grateful2be: I have been dreading going to the dentist lately. I suppose I just don't like the way it makes me feel. A friend of mine has a lot of dental issues & basically can't afford to go to the dentist. I am grateful that I can go & can afford it right now. I want to keep my teeth for sure.
I am sorry that you had to go through all that. I am also glad that you were able to take an inventory about it. I don't think I could see it the way you did personally. You are definitely in recovery. It makes me feel good that you can see another side to an unfair situation.
I have to be honest....never had nothing done to me medically that would have put me in that position so not sure how I would react. I haven't been to a dentist in 10 years....maybe I should go don't you think . I have pretty strong teeth...all of them and never had a problem. Not even a toothache.
It's sad you have to take the brunt of somebody else bad work but you can be grateful you have the means to take care of it one day at a time.
(((( hugs ))))
PS: Stay on top of this dentist
__________________
Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.
LB and PP: Thank you for the feedback and the affirmation. I really haven't had a lot of dental problems that I knew about until after my dentist of 25 years retired. Never saw any of it coming, but then - do we ever really get to see everything that's coming? I guess One Day at a Time is enough.
, I. Now, if I can just repeat this the next time I go to the dentist and in every other area of my life, too. Progress, not perfect is the name of our game. 
. I have pretty strong teeth...all of them and never had a problem. Not even a toothache.